Southampton resident Alice Cutler, 28, was seriously injured in a car crash, which claimed her mum Tereasa’s life in 2015.
It came after she lost her father to cancer a few years earlier.
Alice refused to let either tragedy stop her from living her life, and she went on to become a successful commercial property solicitor and entered the Miss England competition before being crowned Miss London in 2024.
Now she has been crowned the prestigious title of Miss Great Britain at the 80th anniversary of the pageant event in Leicester.
Alice Cutler crowned Miss Great Britain (Image: Chris Perfect)
In this year’s competition, she took part in three on-stage rounds, including fashion wear, swimwear and evening wear, alongside a private one-on-one interview.
Alice wore a striking gold dress with tassels for the fashion wear round, a bright blue piece for the swimwear round and her favourite, a custom-made sparkly dark blue dress.
Reflecting on the competition, Alice, who was born in Salisbury and now lives in Ringwood, said: “It has been a complete whirlwind. I just feel so amazing.
“For me, this is a celebration of my personal growth over the last 10 years, as it has been 10 years since I lost my mum.
“It was such a great experience to get dressed up and feel my best, and I put my heart and soul into it.”
Not only did she win the title, but she also won the best interview award, and she said: “The private interview went really well, and I was really surprised to win it.
“Everyone was asked an unprepared question, and mine was ‘What would be one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?’
“My answer was simple: all you can do is your best. Life’s storms don’t have to break you; they can build you.
“I didn’t let the loss of my parents and my spinal injury destroy me; I know that is not what my mum would have wanted.”
Alice Cutler Crowned Miss Great Britain (Image: Brian Hayes)
The win also means Alice is the first Miss Great Britain from Hampshire since 1974, the first redhead to win since the competition began in 1945, and the first qualified lawyer to hold the title.
Alice has been using her platform to campaign for paid bereavement leave in the UK. She ran a petition, which has prompted three responses from the Government.
She said: “I am going to keep doing everything I have been doing for the past year and use this title as a fantastic opportunity to open doors.
“I have been working with the charities Good Grief Trust and Cruse, and I hope to be a fantastic role model for other women.”
Alice’s biggest supporter has been her younger brother, who was also hugely affected by the loss of their parents. He has been to every pageant event she has done, supporting her.